Who witnessed to the righteousness of God that comes apart from the Law?
According to Romans 3:21, the righteousness of God apart from the Law is witnessed by the Law and the prophets. They testified beforehand, forming the foundation on which grace rests, as part of Scripture's progressive revelation. This testimony preceded the present age of grace and does not come from the Law.
Les explains that Romans 3:21-22 presents the righteousness of God without the Law as manifested and witnessed by the Law and the prophets. He emphasizes that the Bible is a progressive revelation: the Law of Moses came first, then the prophets taught concerning the coming King and Kingdom. Although salvation in the age of grace does not come from the Law, grace rests on the foundation of the Law and the prophets, which came before. He notes that after the Law and prophets fell through the cracks, God temporarily turned to the Gentiles and called out the Church, building on everything that went before. So the witnesses are the Law and the prophets.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
More Questions
How can righteousness apart from the law be witnessed by the Law and the Prophets?
The righteousness of God in Romans 3:21 is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets because nothing in Scripture contradicts itself; it all fits in God's overall plan.
What does it mean that righteousness without the Law is witnessed by the Law and the prophets?
This righteousness without the Law is not something new or self-invented, because it was witnessed beforehand by the Law and the prophets.